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3 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Since You Asked: Mistletoe is probably what's up in the tree Court awards $1 million to Jackson County 6-year-old injured at birth Emergency Services, March 21 Talent father faces assault charges in alleged whipping Mt. Ashland Ski Area to host party March 28 Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Emergency Services, March 21 Talent father faces assault charges in alleged whipping Firefighters stop Gold Hill shed fire before it spreads Missing man found dead in forest in Applegate Lake area 'We tried to de-escalate it' Politics and Elections Arthur I. Cyr: Iran – a crisis without end Arthur I. Cyr: South Korea represents long-term triumph – for them and for US Special election: Jackson County voters OK marijuana tax Ex-Merkley aide chosen as Oregon secretary of state Ashland: Budget increase, swimming pool funding discussion on council agenda Education Eight vie for Medford School Board positions Proposed Medford textbook raises constitutional concern North Medford High School principal to retire in June Southern Oregon University's building boom adds up to $130 million South Medford, Ashland, St. Mary's students building video game Environment Mt. Ashland Ski Area to host party March 28 Controversial asphalt plant in Talent wins county planning approval Mt. Ashland hopes coming storm will reopen ski area Odd visitors found off Oregon Coast Forum explores data gathered in Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument State News Bend company's aim: Connect investors to Africa Brown proposes $1 billion in California drought spending Are they decorations or desecration? 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Test Drive: 2015 Subaru Outback Limited Silvio Calabi: 2015 Cherokee is a modern Jeep Oregon winemaking emerges as mighty agricultural force Rogue Disposal plans natural gas fueling site Real Estate News East McAndrews Road sees a resurgence in commercial projects Business briefs: March 7 New construction prices jump 18.2 percent in Jackson County People In Business People in Business: Feb. 28 People in Business Transportation Rogue Disposal plans natural gas fueling site Alaska, United Express boost Medford airport to record February CEO Rieder leaving Erickson March 31 Lodging gains bode well for travel industries Agriculture Harry & David announces new president Warm winter has fruit growers poised for action Briefcase: Business briefs for Feb. 21 Opinion Latest Letters to the Editor, March 21 Other Views: Dave Frohnmayer was a man of honor Matthew T. Mangino: When is a confession not a confession? 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March 20 calendar of things to do Looking Up: Looking for the zodiacal light Ocean salmon look plentiful off the Southern Oregon coast this year, but next year's a different story Wood bison to roam Alaska again Food Eat this, not that Peanut allergy breakthrough Eat your sprouts More fast food perils Pork perfection: Consider pork steaks instead of ham for the Easter dinner table Home and Garden Hello, honey: Invite bees for a lush garden Understand home inspection Dear Monty: Tips for checking out an existing septic system Garden Cameos: Now is the perfect time to spot wildflowers Paul Rogers: It’s time to assess the damage to yards Health Health Watch: 5 tips for seasonal allergy relief A better bedtime Studying stress Eat this, not that Peanut allergy breakthrough Hiking Biking Faith Religion briefs Religion News: Presbyterian Church gives approval on same-sex marriage Religion briefs: Friday, March 13 More religion events in the Rogue Valley Religion Briefs Milestones and Achievements Haga-Parks Exercise helps special-needs kids adjust to airport procedures Engagement: Workman-Wright Anniversary: Hofer Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories Here's five top entertainment picks for the coming week Alt-rock band Key of Three is a contender this weekend at Rising Stars Improv rock and folk band hosts a dance party at the Ashland Community Center Andrew Lloyd Webber's lush musical 'Sunset Boulevard' opens at Camelot Theatre in Talent Review: 'Same Time' after all these years Theater Andrew Lloyd Webber's lush musical 'Sunset Boulevard' opens at Camelot Theatre in Talent Review: Thanks for the Memories pulls off challenging 'Anastasia' Review: 'Same Time' after all these years Randall Theatre presents playwright Bernard Slade's comedy Thanks for the Memories presents 'Anastasia' Music Live Music in Local Clubs Alt-rock band Key of Three is a contender this weekend at Rising Stars Improv rock and folk band hosts a dance party at the Ashland Community Center Kites & Crows, Ryan Marchand and Mercy Duo face-off this weekend at Rising Stars music competition in Jacksonville Rogue Valley Chorale presents 'A Festival of Choirs' at the Craterian Theatre Community Events Rogue Valley artist Linda Evans' pastel paintings capture landscapes of Southern Oregon Ashland Independent Film Festival announces this year's lineup OSF Hip-Hop Poetry Open Mic Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhibits by regional artists Jesse Lawson and Joe Moxley host 'Barkeeper' Dining Jasmine Thai Cuisine Restaurant Inspections Agave offers gourmet tacos, tamales, ensaladas and more Serra storms Seattle Sakura Japanese Sushi Restaurant opens in new location Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obits Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Magazines/Special Sections Business Services NEWS NOW Since You Asked: Mistletoe is probably what's up in the tree ... Court awards $1 million to Jackson County 6-year-old injured at birth ... Talent father faces assault charges in alleged whipping ... Since You Asked: Mistletoe is probably what's up in the tree ... Court awards $1 million to Jackson County 6-year-old injured at birth ... Talent father faces assault charges in alleged whipping ... EASTERN OREGON Are they decorations or desecration? Flap over statue garb includes some heated confrontations By Phil Wright East Oregonian MailTribune.com By Phil Wright East Oregonian Posted Mar. 19, 2015 @ 8:34 pm By Phil Wright East Oregonian Posted Mar. 19, 2015 @ 8:34 pm » Social News p bs:newslist StartDate="20121121" EndDate="p bs:datecalc Months="3"" DateSort="1" UseObjects="1" ObjectClass="81" Taxonomywords="2325,665" ExactTaxonomyMatch="1" Image="1" Count="4" --> PENDLETON — A scuffle over decorations on Pendleton's Jackson Sundown statue has led a couple to petition the city council for its approval to continue dressing up the bronze. So far 29 people, including the couple who started the petition, have signed their support. Pamela Harmon, 50, and her husband, Tim Becker, 39, live on the 100 block of Pendleton's South Main Street above the bronze of Sundown, born Waaya-Tonah-Toesits-Kahn, the Nez Perce man who at the age of 53 won the Pendleton Round-Up in 1916. Harmon said she is a fourth-generation descendant of Sundown's, and she and her husband first decorated the statue last Halloween. "We got a huge response," Harmon said. "And we did it again for Christmas and then for St. Paddy's Day." They graced the bronze with green glasses, an oversized green top hat sporting a shamrock and banner that said, "Kiss me! I'm Irish." All of it, they said, was about fun. Saturday afternoon, though, Harmon said she found someone removed the decorations, so they replaced them. Moments later she spied a man yanking them off again. Harmon threw open her window and yelled at the man to stop, she said, and he shouted back the decorations were desecrating the representation of Sundown. Becker made for the downstairs door. "I went down the stairs because he had our hat, the St. Paddy hat, in his hand," Becker said. "I grabbed the hat and went back into the building." The man followed Becker inside and grabbed him by the back of the neck. Becker said he wore a tank top, and the scar from his neck surgery to remove discs is easy to see. Becker said he reacted. "I used my forearm and pushed him against the mailboxes ... and opened the door with my other hand," Becker told the East Oregonian. "The guy was in his 60s or 70s." Becker said he did not want to hurt the man, he only wanted him gone. When Becker returned upstairs, though, Harmon said the man had their other decorations and was heading north on Main. They followed in a car and caught up to the man at the intersection of Northwest Fourth Street and Ellis Avenue. Becker said Harmon bailed from the car before he stopped and confronted the decoration-taker. "He grabbed her by the wrist and swung her," Becker said, "and hit her with the bag in his left hand." The impact broke blood vessels in her face, he said. The couple called police, but officers did not find the man. Pendleton police Chief Stuart Roberts said the suspect was white with short gray hair and a short mustache, about 6 feet tall and thin. Roberts also said no one was injured, and police are looking at a potential harassment case, not an assault. Becker said if police catch the man, he will press charges. He said his neck has ached since the fracas, but he has not gone to a doctor. The couple said they wanted to find a way to make sure that decorating the statues was OK. Becker said he called Pendleton City Manager Robb Corbett over and over Monday until they spoke. Corbett recommended a petition, Becker said. "Within 24 hours we got all those signatures," Becker said. "We are really persistent in getting this done." Several signers work downtown near the statue, including at Beckman Saddles, Frazier Office Supply and Virgil's at Cimmiyotti's. Harmon said only two people she approached would not sign the petition — one for personal reasons and one who is against signing petitions for religious reasons. Harmon presented the petition Tuesday night to the Pendleton City Council. Harmon said the council gave a positive response. The council did not express opposition to the petition, and councilwoman Becky Marks said she found the decorations charming. The council opted to take more time, though, before taking action on the petition. Chief Roberts added the city does not have an ordinance prohibiting the decorating of statues, and Corbett plans to allow the decorations unless and until the city receives multiple complaints. Harmon and Becker said the statue decorations draw people to Main Street, and plenty of folks enjoy them and even take photos with the dolled-up Sundown. "This is about making Pendleton more fun," Becker said. Harmon said she hopes the city council sees it the same way. But if not, the couple would cease decorating. Until then, she said, they plan on decorating the statue for Easter. And now that so many business owners and workers on Main Street are aware of the recent incident, she said, perhaps more people will keep an eye out if someone removes the adornments. By Phil Wright East Oregonian MailTribune.com By Phil Wright East Oregonian Posted Mar. 19, 2015 @ 8:34 pm » Comment or view comments /* $( document ).ready(function() { // Jquery mobile is trying to style the button and leaving a blank gry button on top of a white button $("#viafouracoms .vf-comment-controls li.vf-right").html(' Submit '); });*/ » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. 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